Pope Leo XIV US election vote marks history, as the Chicago-born pontiff cast a mail-in ballot ahead of November’s midterms. The Vatican confirmed Friday that Leo submitted his ballot in Chicago, exercising citizenship rights before the November third congressional elections.
Formerly known as Robert Francis Prevost, Leo holds American and Peruvian citizenship and previously also voted while living in Peru. According to Vatican officials, the pope believes citizens have both the right and responsibility to participate in democratic processes.
His ballot was submitted ahead of Illinois elections, where voters will choose a governor and fill an open United States Senate seat. Leo’s participation makes him the first pope known to vote in a United States general election, according to reports.
The historic Pope Leo XIV US election vote drew attention because pontiffs traditionally remain outside ordinary national electoral politics. Officials did not disclose which candidates Leo supported, and public election records cannot reveal his choices on the submitted ballot.
The pope requested a mail-in ballot October third, shortly before undergoing surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from his lung. He has since resumed some Vatican activities following his hospital discharge, while preparing for a planned South American trip next month.
Leo previously voted in several American primary elections, choosing Democratic ballots twice and Republican ballots three times, according to records. Those primary choices do not establish his political affiliation, because Illinois voters select a party ballot separately for each primary.
The Vatican emphasized civic participation, describing voting as a longstanding practice Leo maintained whenever eligible during his years abroad. His historic vote arrives as President Donald Trump campaigns to preserve Republican congressional control during the approaching midterm elections.
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